Geoff Simmons

A Wandsworth resident for 30 years, Geoff Simmons runs a community history project called Summerstown182 alongside his job as a graphic designer. This involves Guided Walks and Talks, working with schools and creating joyous and memorable events through putting up plaques. These include Tooting's 'Reggae Superstars', 'The Daffodil King' and Sadie Crawford 'Lost Woman of British Jazz'. He organised a local schools competition to contribute wording to a plaque celebrating migration. This was placed on Tooting Market and an ongoing 'Planet Tooting' initiative continues to champion the diversity of this area. A plaque for 'The People of Wardley Street' acknowledges Wandsworth's enduring Romany Gypsy heritage. His First World War centenary research project featured story-telling walks round the area stopping outside the houses of people whose names were on a local war memorial. He's the recipient of a Wandsworth Council Civic Award and one of Sadiq Khan's Community Heroes!